RECEPTION

WHAT IS YOUR MAXIMUM CAPACITY?

Maximum capacity is 200 guests seated, 300 guests cocktail style

DOES THE TIME START FROM WHEN THE FIRST GUEST ARRIVES, OR FROM THE TIME WE DESIGNATE? (I ASK THIS BECAUSE GUESTS WILL BE TRAVELLING FROM THE CEREMONY, SO TRAVELLING TIMES MAY VARY. WE WOULD LIKE A 6PM START, HOWEVER IF PEOPLE ARRIVE AT 5.45, IS THIS AN ISSUE? WILL THEY HAVE TO REMAIN OUTSIDE?)

Reception start time is designated by you. If a number of your guests arrive at 5.45pm we’ll greet and show them to the balcony or they can enjoy the gardens. Whereupon we can do either of two things; open a credit card bar tab or you can have guests pay cash for their own drinks till the reception start. The best way to avoid guests waiting at the front door is to include the reception start time on your invitations and maybe also to include a suggested route to Allegro. On the other hand you’ll find, if you have too big a gap between the ceremony finish and reception guests will want to go to the pub or club to fill in time, this is not a good idea.

WHEN DO THE BRIDE AND GROOM USUALLY ARRIVE? (WE WERE THINKING OF ARRIVING AT 5.30, HAVING SOME PHOTOS IN THE GARDEN AND ENTERING AT 6.45PM). WHEN WE ENTER, ARE THE GUESTS SEATED OR WILL THEY STILL BE OUTSIDE?

It takes about 15 minutes or so to move the guests to their tables and have drinks poured and ready for your big introduction. We usually have the bride and groom in the bridal room, adjacent to the foyer as guests are being seated, while this is happening, as MC I’ll run through the events of the evening so you know exactly what's going on. I’ll check things like correct couple's, correct names, correct pronunciation, order of introductions and give you and your attendants directions for a smooth entry and transition to the bridal table.

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THE PACKAGE TO 5½ HOURS. DO YOU HAVE A TIMING OR SCHEDULING SHEET OR COULD YOU PROVIDE ME WITH AN INDICATION OF HOW THE EVENING USUALLY PROCEEDS?

our evening reception timetable would look something like this

6.00-6.40

pre dinner drinks and canapes start on balcony

6.40-6.55

guests enter dining room and seated at their tables, drinks are poured, hot bread rolls on the tables and guests now ready for your entrance

IF THE RECEPTION STARTS AT 6PM, IS IT REASONABLE FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO LEAVE AT 10.45PM, AND TO EXPECT ALL GUESTS TO LEAVE BY 11PM, SO THAT WE ARE WITHIN OUR PACKAGE TIME?

If your package finishes at 11pm, that is when we plan to have you walking out the front door to your getaway car. Half the guests will depart straight away after you leave, the rest will come and gather their belongings and say their goodbyes over the next 10-15 minutes.

WHEN DO WE MEET WITH YOU TO SORT OUT DETAILS, MENUS, NUMBERS ETC?

About 6 months before your reception we'll send a progress update, in it you'll receive a seating floor plan, music selection sheet and the order of events sheet for you to fill in We'll ask you to book an appointment with us 6 weeks before your wedding day to finalise your menu selections, beverage package, colours/style of sashes, order of events and also go through your music selections etc..

DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE A SEATING INFORMATION SHEET FOR DISPLAY SO THAT GUESTS REFER TO IT IN ORDER TO FIND THEIR TABLES?

It's not necessary to have a table plan, however we want two alphabetical guest lists, one for display at the front door and the other for us to greet guests and advise them which table they’ll be seated at.

WHO WILL BE WORKING AT MY RECEPTION? WHAT WILL THEY BE WEARING?

Either Glenn or Kay Torta, the proprietors of Allegro, will be supervising the dining room and bar staff at your wedding reception. We have one waiter on hand per 25 guests plus 2-3 bar staff. Our servers wear black pants, black shoes, black polo shirts and black full length bistro aprons at all wedding receptions.

DOES ALLEGRO DO OUTDOOR RECEPTIONS?

One of the greatest features of Allegro is its blend of outdoor and indoor services. Our gardens and grounds are perfect for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Certainly there is nothing more elegant than serving cocktails or wines and hors d'oeuvres to your guests, as they gather on the balcony after you've exchanged your vows in the gazebo, or upon their arrival at Allegro from your church ceremony. Allegro does not serve dinners outside. All dinners, buffet or full service, are served in the dining room.